Ski Orienteering

s96

EMPO Times Spring 1996

The Winter Season

We had kind of an amazing Winter season this year. If you recall,
there was oodles of snow early, then just before our two Ski-O meets
came the "great washout" on January 19th. The snow just vanished!
Well, actually it didn't vanish, it turned to water and flooded
everything, including Vischer Ferry Preserve, the State Forest in
Massachusetts where the US Champs were scheduled, and my basement. I
suppose those who live on high ground and hate snow loved it, but it
sure put a damper on the Ski-O season. Surprisingly enough, the race
scheduled for Sugarloaf/USA ski area in Maine was still held that
weekend, and my family actually got to it, eventually; but from then
on all the local meets across New York state were canceled until
mid-February, and those were held in pretty marginal conditions (you
sure didn't want to be using your "good" skis).

Finally we got some snow again, and the season closers were held,
though they had to be moved to some of the snowiest places in the
Eastern half of North America: Tug Hill, Saranac Lake, and the
Laurentien mountains. At the Empire State Games at Tug Hill (Winona
State forest), we were just warming up. A number of EMPO members
participated, and did OK. The only one to win a medal was Susan
Hawkes-Teeter, who brought home the Silver in the Women's Masters
category. Because that area has been used a number of times recently
(CNYO holds a race there at the beginning of every season it seems)
this race was a Score-O format, though rather longer than Score-O's
usually are, as befitting a Championship event. The skiing was
remarkably good, though punctuated by a few streams which washed
through the trails and required some careful consideration as to how
to negotiate them. The weather was fine, and everyone had a good time
and was thankful that it was possible for the event to be held.

It was the following weekend, at the rescheduled US Ski-O
Championships, that EMPO truly shone. There are a lot of winners
(Male/Female x Master/Open/Junior x Short/Long =12) but EMPO took home
five of them, including three (of six) overall champs (combining short
and long): Matt George, Jamie Lewis, and Phil Hawkes-Teeter. We also
had some second and thirds, so while it is not yet confirmed, I
believe we took the Perm Trophy as Champion US Club, awarded by
Orienteering North America. It's a great triumph for us, and I'd like
to thank all the participants, especially Eric Hamilton and the
parents of the Juniors for getting them to the races in Saranac Lake
and Morin Heights, Quebec. I know the "Trek to Quebec" was a lot
longer than it would have been if the races had been held in
Massachusetts as originally planned, and it was great that so many
Juniors were able to get there.

Now that we have this one under our belts, we'll have a great chance
to keep it rolling next year, because the US Champs will be hosted by
none other than EMPO. That's right, the Empire Orienteering Club will
be putting on the US Ski-O Championships, and we'll be doing it at
Garnet Hill Cross Country Ski Center, in North River, NY, near the
Gore Mountain downhill area. The first day of this event will also be
the Empire State Games Ski-O, so we expect a great crowd, a great
race, and a lot of fun. Mark your calendars now for the first weekend
in March '97, and get in shape! Or just race anyway, even if
you're not in shape. One of the great things about all forms of
Orienteering is that it's just plain fun, "no matter what shape your
stomach is in", as they used to say in some commercials. Just be
there! Help us defend our title, or just cheer us on, but join us!

Spring-O

There is another form of Orienteering, I think. Oh yeah, Foot-O.
Actually that's kind of an ugly term, and "O"-on-foot is a bit
awkward. Someone proposed "Shoe-O", but that seems downright silly,
so I guess we'll just have to go with "O", and Orienteering if we want
to be formal. Whatever we call it, the new season is dawning. I've
actually brushed the cobwebs and mud from my "O" shoes and trotted
through my local park (Thacher) once already. As it turned out, I
almost could have skied. Thacher Park is on the North side of the
Helderbergs, and the snow lasts pretty long there, but it was still
fun to get out and work a few different muscles, such as they are. My
triceps at least were very happy not to have to push ski poles
anymore.

We have our usual assortment of great events planned for this season.
Starting off on April 27, our reigning Club Champ is going to do his
penance by putting on the Opener. It will be a Score-O, which means ,
if you don't know, that you can hit the controls in any order. If
you've never been there, Peebles Island is an interesting place,
located where the Mohawk flows into the Hudson. It's not very big,
either, so it makes a good first Meet location, since you can't get
too lost or have to run too far. Unfortunately, late word has it that
in the new political climate we are now faced with a charge for group
use of the park, and we may be forced to ask for a modest
"contribution" of an additional $1 or so to cover it, but I'm certain
it'll prove worth it.

Next up comes our most infamous Meet site: Vischer Ferry Preserve. We
have scheduled three Meets there since Eric Hamilton finished the map,
and none have come off. The first was a Ski-O, and there was no snow.
OK, that's not so unusual. Next we tried a regular O-on-Foot. Major
rainstorms and the rising Mohawk essentially put parts of the courses
underwater, and not having a lot of Scuba-O members, that Meet was
canceled too. Most recently, this past winter, we tried a Ski-O
again, and this time we had both: no snow, and flooding (which froze
to ice). So, here we go again! Any bets on what will happen this
time? If ever there was a Meet to check with the Meet Director to
make sure it's happening, this is it. Eric has had plenty of time to
fine tune his map and courses, so you really ought to try to make
this. Besides, global warming might put the whole thing permanently
underwater soon. Do it while you can!

Finally, we have a return to Norray Farm, after an absence of a few
years. This site is a wonderful example for all of us, because it's a
nice piece of private land in the country that the owner's family
decided to map. It's very typical country land for this region, and
it makes great running or hiking. Bring a picnic lunch, and
afterwards the Club will discuss what's ahead, in particular the
upcoming Relay Teams, Fall Schedule, and the "A" Meets we'll be
putting on.

One final note. I was hoping to have more information by now, and I
don't, but the United States Orienteering Federation is putting on
its annual Junior Camp in our area this year. Juniors from across
the country will be coming to learn and train on our own Thacher Park
map. They'll be staying at nearby Camp Pinnacle. Our own Juniors,
however, can simply stay at home and still attend. This is a great
opportunity for us, and any young person with an interest in
orienteering should hold the 22nd & 23rd of June free for the Camp.
We'll have information at our Meets, once it's released.

Local Results

There were no results from our local Ski-O's because they were
canceled. Also, The full results from the Fall Club Championships
appear to have been irretrievably lost. Yes, the Dog ate our
homework, er, I mean results. If they ever turn up, I'll print them.
What I have to print are the final standings of the leaders in The
North American Ski-O Cup. This was a series of six top level races in
the US and Canada. EMPO took most of its points at the Dewey Mountain
and Morin Heights US Champs events, where our Juniors did so well, as
noted above.

Some additional noteworthy results from last year's Spring/Summer/Fall
orienteering seasons have recently been announced. The USOF annually
compiles a ranking of all members who compete in at least a couple of
"A" Meets. The 1995 rankings are now out, and EMPO had two very
highly ranked members: Janet Tryson is #4 in the F40 class, and Marty
Hawkes-Teeter made it to #1 in the M12. I know both of them worked
hard, and had a lot of fun, orienteering last year. Let's all give
them a cheer, and hope they can do as well or better this season,
along with a few more of us. It only takes two days of "A" Meet
attendance to get ranked now, so if you haven't tried attending one
yet, sign up for one. The New York State Champs in May would be a
good choice, so I'm including the information for that event in this
EMPO TIMES. For ranking, you do need to be a USOF member, not just an
EMPO member. Besides ranking, and reduced entry fees at "A" Meets,
you get Orienteering North America, which is obviously a great
publication since they are printing an article I've written.

Info on the 1996 Billygoat Run

"The most important orienteering event in the world"

APRIL 21, 1996

WACHUSETT MOUNTAIN, PRINCETON, MA

The Billygoat is a mass-start event about 13 km or so long. The climb
is 500-600 meters typically but could be more. Water, sports drinks
and food will be provided at the water stops. Following is explicitly
permitted. To make things a bit more interesting, you will be allowed
to skip any one control that you feel like.

All official finishers (3 1/2 hours or less) will receive the coveted
Billygoat T-shirt (the ONLY way to get one, aside from being a
Billygoat Director).

Check-in at 10 AM, 11 AM start. Enter by April 10, send US$10,
payable to New England Orienteering Club, with your t-shirt size,
name, address, phone number, year of birth and club to:

O For the Old: Empire State Senior Games

The Empire State Senior Games have undergone a major reorganization.
The qualifying age has been reduced from 55 to 50, and orienteering
has been reinstituted as a competitive medal awarding sport. The 1996
ESSG events will occur beginning Wednesday, June 4, and culminate
Sunday ,June 9. Orienteering takes place at noon, Saturday, June 8,
at Green Lakes State Park, just east of Syracuse. The $25 entry fee
gets one into all sports he/she chooses, as well as a host of
recreation activities and more. A good turnout for the orienteering
will help keep it on the schedule in future years. Entrants MUST
pre-register by May 15. For information and the application form
write:

Empire State Senior Games
New York State Parks Central Region
6105 East Seneca Turnpike
Jamesville, NY 13078-9516
or call: 315-492-9654 or -1756 during the day.